The European Union will provide €578 million to build a major power link running through the Bay of Biscay to export Spain’s excess renewable energy to France, in a move that has been welcomed by France, Spain and Portugal.

An initial five-year R&D program is starting between the German-based Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) and the Institut Photovoltaïque d'Île de France (IPVF) in Paris to develop next-generation flexible photovoltaics featuring copper, indium, gallium and selenium (CIGS) solar cells.

‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Canadian Solar could become a partner with small-scale PV manufacturer in France, Photowatt, a subsidiary of EDF Energies Nouvelles in establishing a manufacturing plant producing next-generation silicon ingots and wafers.

France is significantly increasing its annual target of solar tenders from 1.45GW to 2.45GW capacity, under plans announced by energy minister Nicolas Hulot, while 145 winners in the 51MW self-consumption tender have been announced.

France has surpassed 7.7GW of solar installations, Northern Ireland’s largest PV plant has been sold to Greencoat, India’s 1st solar carport to be installed on a rooftop has been completed by Tata Power Solar.